Fire starter



Oct. 11, 1927.

F. c. HOLMES FIRE STARTER Filed sept. 15. 1926 Patented Oct. 11, .1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK C. HOLMES, 0F HOUSTON, TEXAS.

FIRE STARTER.

Application filed September 13, 1926. Serial No. 135,161.

My invention relates to an improvement in means for starting fires. It is adapted to take the place of kindling in the process of starting res particularly in stoves.

It is an object of the invention to provide a means for starting fires which may be easily inserted in the stove to start the fire and to be readily removed when the object of starting the fire has been accomplished.

It is also an object to provide a fire starter which may be used repeatedly and last for long periods of time without necessitating renewal.

Referring to the drawingherewith where-v in a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a fire starter embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l, showing the invention in enlarged detail.

In carrying out my invention, I contemplate forming a porous or fibrous body which will be non-inflammable and capable of absorbing oil or easily inflammable material. 'Ihe material which I use in forming the body of the fire starter is asbestos and in order that the asbestos may be retained in shape for an indefinite period I have the asbestos mounted upon a reinforcing frame work of fine wire screen.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a body member, indicated at A, made up of a plurality of layers l of asbestos. This material is moulded upon a frame work of fine wire screen, indicated at 2. I have shown six of these layers, although obviously any desired number may be used. The sheets making up the separate layers are cut of uniform size and are secured together in superposed relation by means of rivets 3 or other similar means. I have shown` four such rivets.

The device may be handled in use by connecting with the body member A a handle of metal or other non-inflammable material, and I have shown a handle 4 made up of' heavy wire. The wire is extended through the body of the starter at 5 at a point away from the center of the body and extended across the body to the opposite side and twisted, as shown at 6, to firmly hold the wires to the opposite sides of the body and to form a handle of suflicient rigidity to support the fire starter in use. The end of the wire forming the handle is bent into a loop, shown at 7, whereby the device may be suspended upon a nail or similar support 1n use.

I contemplate soaking the body of the fire starter in kerosene or other oil so that when it is desired to use the device it may be removed from the oil and inserted within the stove or any other position where, 'it is desired to use it, and the fuel placed on top of the starter. Thereafter the oil may be ignited, after which the oil will burn for a suilicient period to successfully start the fuel blazing. The starter may then be removed by withdrawing the same in an obvious manner.

When the device has been used a few times, the layers become loose and fibrous so that it will quickly absorb a sufficient amount of oil tolast for a long period of time, and it will be obvious that it may be used as a torch when desired. It may be suspended by the handle and ignited and will burn outdoors and furnish sufficient illumination for ordinary purposes. While I contemplate the principal use of my device in starting fires and to serve as kindling, it will be obvious that it has other uses and I do not wish to be confined to any particular use of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

A device of the character described comprising a plurality of layers of wire reinforced asbestos, means extending through said asbestos to hold it together, and a metallic handle comprising a heavy wire eX- tended through said layers of asbestos and bent laterally therefrom.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afIiX my signature this 9th day of September, A. D. 1926.

FRANK c. HOLMES. 

